Cavendish takes Stage 2, Cancellara stays in front

Isle of Man’s Mark Cavendish pumps his fist after earning the 21st Tour de France stage victory of his career.

TOURNAI, Belgium — Mark Cavendish led a tight sprint to the finish Monday to win the second stage of the Tour de France, while Fabian Cancellara retained the overall leader's yellow jersey after the mostly flat ride across Belgium.

Related News/Archive

The top overall standings didn't change as defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia and fellow title contender Bradley Wiggins of Britain trailed close behind in the pack after the 129-mile ride from Vise to Tournai.

Cavendish collected his 21st Tour stage victory and proved he remains the rider to beat in Tour sprints. He also won three stages in the Giro d'Italia and two in the Tour of Oman this year.

The 27-year-old from the Isle of Man has been left largely to fend for himself this year because his Sky team is focusing on helping Wiggins become Britain's first Tour winner.

"It's quite nice. I came into this sprint day with really the least pressure I've ever had in a Tour stage," Cavendish said. "Normally in the past, I've had a full dedicated team. Normally I win by some bike lengths. Today I had to lunge at the line, so you see that it wasn't too easy."

Cavendish, known for his short fuse, rebuffed a reporter who suggested that Sky appeared to have two goals: success for him in the quest for the green jersey given to the best sprinter; and Wiggins' hopes for the yellow.

"There are not two objectives. There's one objective," Cavendish said gruffly.

He also sought to dispel speculation that he might be looking ahead to the London Olympics at which he will be a favorite to win gold in the road race.

"It (the Tour) is the most beautiful race of the year for me," he said. "Here, it's the Tour de France. … I can't say the Olympics are more important."